Effects of interlaminar stresses on damping of 0-degree unidirectional laminated composites

The principal aim of this paper is to formulate a general model for predict ing damping in composites on the basis of the concept of strain energy-weig hted dissipation. In this model, the effects of interlaminar stresses on da mping have been included in addition to the effects of in-plane extension/c ompression and in-plane shear. Validation of the model was confirmed by per forming damping measurements on 0 degrees unidirectional composite beams wi th varying length and thickness. The results of theoretical predictions of damping in laminated composites were found to compare favorably with experi mental data. The transverse shear (sigma(xz)) reveals to have a considerabl e effect on the damping mechanisms in 0 degrees unidirectional polymer comp osites. However, the other interlaminar stresses (sigma(yz), sigma(z)) were shown to have little influence on damping in composite beam.